Thomas “Tom” Ellsworth Jones passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 14, 2026, at the Community Hospital in McCook, NE, at the age of 76.

Tom was born on April 12, 1949, to parents Donald William Jones MD and Maxine Phyllis Clara Morral in Holdrege, NE. He was one of four boys and grew up in Holdrege and Hastings. In his younger years, he enjoyed the outdoors and woodwork. While in high school, Tom was the guitarist and singer for a rock band. He graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1967. He then attended culinary school in New Haven, Connecticut where he accomplished his Cordon Bleu.

Tom met the love of his life Patricia “Patsy” Lee Payne through mutual friends. They were married on June 12, 1982, in Estes Park, CO and were blessed with their children, Seth and Sarah.

In his professional life, Tom worked as an electronic assembler for Hewlett Packard in Loveland, CO and for Valmont in McCook, NE.

Tom loved camping and his favorite places were in the mountains of Colorado and at Lake McConaughy in Ogallala, NE. Tom and Patsy would sing together at various community events. Tom loved to sail on his sailboat; he learned to sail during his time in Connecticut. Tom will be remembered for playing his guitar.

Those left to celebrate Tom’s life are his beloved wife Patsy Jones of McCook, NE; children, Seth (Cecelia) Jones of Helena, Montana, and Sarah (Dan) Sewell of Beatrice, NE; grandchildren Trinity and Gus Sewell; brothers, Donald Evan (Linda) Jones of Cozad, NE, and Robert William (Diane) Jones of Renton, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, brother David Jones, and in-laws Merle “Flap” and E. Patty Payne.

Memorials are suggested in Tom’s name to the McCook Fire and Rescue, 505 West C Street, NE 69001 or the Community Hospital Health Foundation, PO Box 1328 McCook NE 69001.

There will be a celebration of life on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege, NE.